Assad delivers weapon assessment to international inspectors

Analysts from the group's Technical Secretariat directorate are reviewing the details of the Syrian chemical weapons assessment, it adds. No specific details on the information submitted by Damascus of its chemical arsenal.

But the handover of that information to international inspectors is just the beginning of the long process to track down, secure and eventually destroy the Assad's chemical stockpiles.

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Friday's disclosure is part of a U.S. and Russian-brokered plan to disarm Assad's forces, who used chemical weapons against anti-government rebels fighting to topple the Syrian regime.

"The Security Council must be prepared to act next week. It is vital for the international community to stand up and speak out in the strongest possible terms about the importance of enforceable action to rid the world of Syria's chemical weapons."

A U.N. report on the chemical attacks in August clearly showed government forces ordered and carried out the strikes, targeting rebel strongholds in and around Damascus.

While Russia is a key architect in the Syria disarmament plan, Moscow continues to side with Assad's claims the chemical attacks were launched by rebel forces.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has also publicly denounced any threats of military action by Washington, to force Assad to comply with the disarmament deal.

Congressional lawmakers and White House officials claim possible U.S. military action against the regime is the only way to ensure Assad will meet the deal's requirements.

However, Russia has indicated it may block any U.S.-led effort to keep American military action on the table, as part of the disarmament deal, during next week's U.N. Security Council meeting.

Moscow has repeatedly stonewalled prior attempts by Washington and its allies on the council to take action against the Assad regime, which remains Russia's top ally in the Mideast.

President Obama was poised to begin targeted military strikes in Syria, in retaliation for the chemical attacks in August.